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Vick reportedly reaches plea agreement
Vick reportedly reaches plea agreement
Quarterback will plead guilty to felony conspiracy charge next week
BREAKING NEWS
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 4 minutes ago
RICHMOND, Va. - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal ? and a likely prison sentence ? to avoid additional federal charges related to a professional dogfighting operation, one of Vick's attorneys said, the Virginian-Pilot reported Monday.
A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET Monday, WXIA reported.
Vick will enter a guilty plea to the felony conspiracy charge next Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET, said Lawrence Woodward, one of Vick's defense attorneys, the Virginian-Pilot reported.
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who is presiding over the case, said he has the leeway to sentence Vick and his co-defendants as he deems fit and is not bound by the recommended sentences given to him by the prosecution, USA Today said.
CNN also said that Vick's attorneys are hoping to hear from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday about what options would be available to theAtlanta Falcons star quarterback if he does accept a plea deal.
A grand jury was scheduled to convene Monday in the federal court where Vick and three co-defendants were indicted on dogfighting charges last month.
There?s no indication whether the grand jury will take up further allegations against Vick, although federal prosecutors have said they plan to seek a superseding indictment in the case.
That would mean more charges against Vick, the lone defendant who has not been convicted now that all three of his co-defendants have reached plea deals.
Vick?s attorneys were negotiating with federal prosecutors last week, hoping to strike a deal on a plea agreement.
?It seems to be a pretty clear indication there will be some sort of plea entered,? Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Friday.
Vick?s last two co-defendants pleaded guilty Friday and said he bankrolled gambling on dogfights at Vick?s property in rural Surry County, not far from his hometown of Newport News. One said Vick helped drown or hang dogs that didn?t do well.
Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach entered plea agreements and agreed to testify against Vick. Tony Taylor of Hampton struck a similar deal last month.
The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL?s personal conduct policy.
The NFL has barred Vick from the Falcons? training camp but has withheld further action while the league conducts its own investigation.
Peace, Phillips and Taylor pleaded guilty to the same charges facing Vick: conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencings are set for November and December.
Link to article
Vick reportedly reaches plea agreement
Quarterback will plead guilty to felony conspiracy charge next week
BREAKING NEWS
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 4 minutes ago
RICHMOND, Va. - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal ? and a likely prison sentence ? to avoid additional federal charges related to a professional dogfighting operation, one of Vick's attorneys said, the Virginian-Pilot reported Monday.
A press conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET Monday, WXIA reported.
Vick will enter a guilty plea to the felony conspiracy charge next Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET, said Lawrence Woodward, one of Vick's defense attorneys, the Virginian-Pilot reported.
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who is presiding over the case, said he has the leeway to sentence Vick and his co-defendants as he deems fit and is not bound by the recommended sentences given to him by the prosecution, USA Today said.
CNN also said that Vick's attorneys are hoping to hear from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday about what options would be available to theAtlanta Falcons star quarterback if he does accept a plea deal.
A grand jury was scheduled to convene Monday in the federal court where Vick and three co-defendants were indicted on dogfighting charges last month.
There?s no indication whether the grand jury will take up further allegations against Vick, although federal prosecutors have said they plan to seek a superseding indictment in the case.
That would mean more charges against Vick, the lone defendant who has not been convicted now that all three of his co-defendants have reached plea deals.
Vick?s attorneys were negotiating with federal prosecutors last week, hoping to strike a deal on a plea agreement.
?It seems to be a pretty clear indication there will be some sort of plea entered,? Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Friday.
Vick?s last two co-defendants pleaded guilty Friday and said he bankrolled gambling on dogfights at Vick?s property in rural Surry County, not far from his hometown of Newport News. One said Vick helped drown or hang dogs that didn?t do well.
Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach entered plea agreements and agreed to testify against Vick. Tony Taylor of Hampton struck a similar deal last month.
The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL?s personal conduct policy.
The NFL has barred Vick from the Falcons? training camp but has withheld further action while the league conducts its own investigation.
Peace, Phillips and Taylor pleaded guilty to the same charges facing Vick: conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Sentencings are set for November and December.
Link to article
